Everything you need to register a company in the UK - explore our packages.
Cheap and cheerful - basic company formation to get you up and running.
Package details:
Your new limited company registered at Companies House within 24 hours.
As soon as your new company has been approved by Companies House, you can start trading immediately.
UK Customers
We have partnered with 7 leading UK banks to offer our customers the perfect business banking solution. When you place your new company order, simply choose your preferred bank, and they will contact you after your company has been formed.
International Customers
Customers based outside of the UK are recommended to purchase the Non-Residents package, which includes free business account referrals for overseas customers.
Please note: Account openings for all banking referral partners are subject to approval.
Our Online Company Manager system allows you to take full control of your company details from one central login:
We’ve teamed up with IONOS, one of the UK’s top providers of domain names, to offer you a free .com or .co.uk domain for one year.
Here's how it works: Once your company is officially registered with Companies House, you’ll receive an email confirming your order, including a special link to the IONOS site. You can use this link to claim your free .com or .co.uk domain or choose to add a hosting plan to your cart for just £1 per month.
Please note: The .com or .co.uk domain is free for the first year, but this offer is only valid through the link in your order confirmation email. The discount applies only to the first year, and renewal fees are not included. Standard terms and conditions apply.
A company expert will prepare and submit your annual confirmation statement to Companies House, ensuring it is filed on time and accurately.
Please note: This service does not include the £50.00 Companies House filing fee. When filing your first confirmation statement, we will take payment of £50.00 using your payment card details securely stored in your account.
Our Confirmation Statement Service is renewable annually at the cost of £75.99 +VAT.
Enhance your business's professional image with a dedicated business telephone number.
With this service, you'll receive a London or regional telephone number, and all calls will be forwarded to a number of your choice.
Your company documents delivered to you by email as soon as your new company is registered, including:
Protect your home privacy and enhance your professional image with our address services.
Package details:
Everything in the Digital Package, plus:
A digital version of your company’s statutory registers, including completed initial entries from the date of your company registration:
Use our prestigious Covent Garden address as your company’s registered office address and protect the privacy of your home.
All UK government mail and court documents will be scanned and emailed to you daily, free of charge.
This service is renewable on a 12-month basis at the cost of £39.00 +VAT.
Our Service Address Service provides an official address for a company director, shareholder, or PSC to appear on the public record.
All UK government mail and Court documents addressed to the company officer will be scanned and emailed free of charge daily.
This service is renewable on a 12-month basis at the cost of £26.00 +VAT.
Our London Business Address Service allows you to use our Covent Garden address for your day-to-day business correspondence, establishing a business presence in Central London.
All mail addressed to your company will be forwarded to you by scan and email on the same day we receive it for £0.50 per item.
This service is renewable annually at the cost of £96.00 +VAT.
Unlock instant access to more than 300 ready-to-use business templates.
What's included?
Renewal Cost
Our Business Document Template Library is renewable annually for £99.99 +VAT.
For entrepreneurs who want to focus on growth - let us keep you legal and compliant.
Package details:
Everything in the Privacy Package, plus:
Our Hassle-Free Compliance Service keeps your company compliant and gives you the tools and support to run your business with confidence.
What's included?
Renewal Cost
Our Hassle-Free Compliance Service is renewable annually for £149.99 +VAT.
Allow our highly trained staff to handle the formalities of your VAT registration.
We will apply for your VAT registration online.
Once your VAT registration has been approved, HMRC will send your VAT Registration Number by post to the business address provided on the application. You will then be able to access your VAT Registration Certificate online on the Government Gateway.
If you would like to pay yourself as a company director or have employees or other directors who will be taking a salary from your company, you must register for PAYE with HMRC.
Our highly trained staff will take care of the registration on your behalf.
The PAYE registration process usually takes around 3 weeks, and your PAYE information will be sent to you by post directly from HMRC.
Enjoy free 4 hours of meeting hire for up to eight people in our tech enabled meeting rooms with all the amenities you need for a productive and comfortable day:
Our meeting rooms are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. The included four hours can be used in a single session or split across multiple meetings. This offer must be used within 6 months of the purchase date.
For more information, check out our Meeting Rooms page on 1st Formations website.
This valuable package provides all the guidance and templates your company needs to become fully GDPR compliant quickly and inexpensively.
GDPR significantly increases companies' responsibilities when handling customer and employee data. Breaches of GDPR can lead to very large fines.
Avoid hours of research and fines using our GDPR guidance and template documents in this comprehensive package.
Company formation is the legal process of creating a new business entity, distinct from its owners or shareholders. It is also known as company registration or incorporation. In the UK, it typically involves registration with Companies House or a company formation agent. It includes choosing a unique company name, defining the company's legal structure, and submitting the required documents.
Our simple online application form takes no more than 20 minutes to complete.
Once the application has been submitted to Companies House, it will usually be processed in one working day; however, this is subject to Companies House workload and may take longer.
If it is important that your company is formed on the same day, you can purchase our Same-Day Incorporation Service at the checkout with any of our packages. This service is available before 12pm GMT, Monday-Friday.
No, there are no hidden costs when registering a company with 1st Formations. The total cost is the package price shown, plus the £100 Companies House Fee (not subject to VAT). For more information, visit our compare packages page.
Yes. One person can form a limited company in the UK. You will need a director and a shareholder, and one individual can hold both positions.
Yes. You can add multiple directors, shareholders, or guarantors during the company formation process.
Our online application lets you include as many people as required, allocate shares in different proportions, and assign specific roles (such as director or company secretary).
If you're unsure how to structure your shareholdings, you can start with a simple setup and make changes later through Companies House filings.
To register a UK limited company, you will need:
Having these details ready will make the formation process quicker and easier.
Yes. We are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and can verify the identity of officers and persons with significant control (PSCs) on behalf of Companies House.
When we submit your company formation application to Companies House, once your company has been formed, you will appear as ‘verified’ for ID purposes on the Companies House public register.
We will also carry out additional checks to comply with our anti-money laundering responsibilities, as we are supervised by HMRC for anti-money laundering purposes.
The ID verification process is quick, simple, and free of charge. Typically it is completed within just a few minutes. You can read more about our ID Requirements here.
Your company name must be unique and comply with Companies House rules.
During the company formation process, you can instantly check if a name is available using our company name checker. If it’s already taken, you can select an appropriate alternative.
When completing your company registration, you can choose to use either ‘Limited’ or the abbreviated ‘Ltd’ in your company name - both are legally acceptable and indicate that your business is a private limited company.
The choice comes down to style: ‘Limited’ offers a more formal look, while ‘Ltd’ provides a modern, streamlined alternative.
Once your company has been incorporated, you will receive digital copies of the following documents:
During the application process, we will provide a list of banks we can refer you to. Once your company is formed, we will share your details with the chosen bank who will contact you directly.
You can begin trading as soon as your company is registered by Companies House. Usually within one working day.
Although you must report your residential address to Companies House, you can keep it private and off the public record by using our registered office and service address services.
Yes, 1st Formations is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), approved to carry out identity verification and submit filings for company formations on behalf of clients, in compliance with Companies House regulations.
This status ensures we meet strict anti-money laundering and due diligence requirements, offering you a trusted and secure company formation service, whilst also ensuring that when forming a company with us, you automatically have your ID verified with Companies House at the same time.
Our easy company registration process gets your business up and running in no time.
Start by checking the availability of your preferred company name, along with a few alternative options. Once you've confirmed a name is free to use, we will save it and you can move forward to the next step.
Select the limited company structure that suits you best - from basic company formation to options with business support and compliance services. Our team ensures fast company incorporation.
At the checkout page, you can add any extra services and exclusive offers to your basket. Then, proceed to payment. Upon successful payment, you will proceed to the final step of the process.
Submit the required details for your new company, including your UK registered office address and director and shareholder details. Need help? See our guide on information required to set up a company.
Introducing our Covent Garden HQ and our team of over 100 company experts
A complete solution designed for non-UK residents forming their company from abroad. This package makes UK company formation simple, efficient, and fully compliant. A full list of eligible countries can be found here.
Your company will be registered with Companies House, usually within 24 hours. The ID verification and compliance process can be challenging for non-residents, but we guide you through every step to ensure it’s completed smoothly.
Once your company formation is complete, get exclusive referrals to business banking solutions designed for overseas business owners. You’ll be able to open a UK business account that supports multiple currencies and gives you everything you need to run your UK business.
Establish a credible UK presence with London address services, including a registered office address. All mail is scanned and emailed to you at no extra cost. Secure mail forwarding is available for valuable items, offering international delivery options tailored to your needs.
We can form companies for customers in most countries in the world; however, there are several that are not eligible.
Please note that orders placed from an ineligible country will be cancelled, and may be subject to a non-refundable administrative fee of £9.99 +VAT which will be deducted from your refund to cover processing costs.
Check if your country is eligible below:
Register a company with 1st Formations and set up your
business bank account with no paperwork or stress.
This leading high street bank offers a business bank account with no fees for the first 12 months. Their App allows you to manage your account online, make payments locally and internationally, and create invoices for free.
How to apply
Once your company has been formed, Barclays will contact you with details on how to open your account. Your account will be opened within 6 to 8 weeks, and your business debit card will arrive within 5 days of the account being activated.
Established high street bank NatWest offer a business bank account with no transaction fees for the first 18 months. They also provide a range of borrowing options to help grow your business.
How to apply
NatWest will email you within 1 day of your company's incorporation with instructions for opening your account.
This business bank account offers spending notifications, pots to separate and manage your money, FSCS protection, and instant UK bank transfers. Starting with no monthly fees, it's a great choice for businesses.
How to apply
Monzo will email you within 24 hours of your company's formation to guide you through the account opening process.
Join over 1 million businesses that bank with Lloyds and get an instant decision on up to £5,000 credit (subject to status). Open a Business Account and enjoy a range of benefits, including free accounting software with no hidden costs, no monthly account fee for the first 12 months, and 24/7 mobile banking to manage your finances on the go.
How to apply
Once your company is formed, you will be invited to apply via their app. Most applications are completed in minutes, and you’ll receive a prompt decision on your credit limit.
This online business banking solution provides free money transfers and ATM transactions, 1% cashback on business expenses paid with your debit card, and the ability to set up direct debits. ANNA also provide multiple debit cards with customisable spending limits.
How to apply
Once your company is incorporated, you'll receive an email and SMS with a link to start your online application. Most accounts are opened in just 3 minutes, with your company's debit card arriving within 5 working days.
Revolut Business is an all-in-one finance platform built for companies that want more than just a bank account. From £10 per month, you'll get access to multi-currency accounts in GBP, EUR, and USD across 50+ countries, plus integrations with Xero, FreeAgent, Shopify, and more – keeping your finances and accounting in one place.
How to apply
Our Non-Residents package comes with a free banking referral. Once your company is formed, you'll receive an email with everything you need to get started – including a link to apply for a Revolut Business account. If your application is approved, you'll be set up with a UK sort code and account number shortly after.
Note: All account openings are subject to approval.
Wise Business is designed for companies that operate across borders. With no monthly fee, you can hold and convert 40+ currencies, receive local account details in GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, CAD, and more, and send low-cost international payments to 80+ countries. Wise integrates with Stripe, Xero, Shopify, and QuickBooks to keep your financial admin streamlined.
How to apply
Our Non-Residents package comes with a free banking referral. Once your company is formed, you'll receive an email with everything you need to get started – including a link to apply for a Wise Business account. If your application is approved, you'll be set up with a UK sort code and account number shortly after.
Note: All account openings are subject to approval.
Business banking with Tide allows you to simplify your company's financial management. Their business account App integrates with tools like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and others, so you can take care of accounting and invoicing all in one place.
How to apply
After forming your company, complete a simple online application and your account will be opened within an hour. Once your account is open, your free business Mastercard will be sent to you.
A company name that is not already in use at Companies House. You can check the availability for your preferred company name by using our company name checker.
A registered office address is required for company formation in the UK. Don't worry, most of our packages include a London registered office service, for example, the Privacy Package.
The details of all company officers (directors and secretaries) and shareholders, including full name, residential address, occupation, date of birth and nationality.
We proudly donate over 3,000 sq ft of our Covent Garden headquarters to six charities —
giving them fully equipped offices in the heart of London, completely free of charge
From your first idea to long-term success, we're with you every step of the way –
from registering your company to helping it grow
Practical guidance for founders – all in one place.
Fast, expert-led UK company formation.
Ongoing support to keep your business compliant.
Trusted partners and solutions for scaling your business.
Created for beginners, this short video will provide you with everything you need to know
about the company formation process - in the simplest of terms. Watch it and register your company today.
We helped them through company formation and beyond. Watch their case studies to see how they are growing.
We pass our savings directly on to you, and offer competitive pricing without damaging quality or service. Our customers enjoy outstanding value, exclusive features, and access to the UK’s leading customer rewards program.
Our team delivers excellent support backed by comprehensive internal and external training. With a strong customer-first policy, we are here to provide reliable guidance throughout your company formation journey.
You can form your company online in only 15 minutes, and Companies House approves most applications within 24 hours. Our fast, user-friendly system makes starting your business simple, so you can focus on your growth vision.
We are the UK’s largest and most trusted company formation agent, proudly serving entrepreneurs worldwide. With over 27,000 excellent reviews, our reputation is built on consistent customer satisfaction.
Build instant credibility with our premium Covent Garden address. We offer registered office, director service address, and business address solutions in one of London’s most recognisable business locations.
We are a B Corp company standing up for our local community. From offering free office space to charities to empowering women and girls through education, we’re committed to creating a long lasting social impact.
Set up a limited company today, and start trading tomorrow
A limited company is a business structure that separates the owner(s) from the business. This separation protects the owner's personal assets from the business’s debts and financial obligations.
This is the most popular business structure in the UK, and it provides additional benefits such as tax efficiency and enhanced credibility.
A company formation agent is a professional service that helps individuals and businesses set up a new company. They handle the registration process with the relevant authorities - usually online -making it faster, easier, and more cost-effective.
Using a company formation agent simplifies the process of setting up your business. They ensure your company is accurately and efficiently registered with Companies House, helping to reduce mistakes and delays. Formation agents also provide expert advice on choosing the right company structure, offer registered office services, and can support you with ongoing administrative tasks—making them a smart, time-saving option for new business owners.
Private limited companies account for over 95% of all companies registered in the UK. An overwhelming majority of these are private companies limited by shares, making this structure the most commonly used company type.
The main benefit of forming a limited company is the protection provided by limited liability. This means if your business runs into financial trouble, your personal assets will not be at risk. Other benefits include enhanced credibility and tax efficiency. Overall, choosing a limited company structure can offer greater security and growth opportunities for your business.
A company limited by shares is the most common type of limited company in the UK. 'Limited by shares' simply means the liability of the owners is limited to the nominal value of the shares issued by the company. Shareholders are only liable for the company's debts up to the amount they have invested, which helps protect their personal finances during company operation.
By law, all private companies registered in the UK are required to appoint at least one director. The director must be a natural person (a human) who is at least 16 years old. There is no need for the director to be based in the UK.
Please note, our services are only available to companies where all directors are aged 18 or over.
We accept all major credit and debit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and American Express. We also accept digital wallet payments via Google Pay and Apple Pay. All transactions are processed securely, giving you peace of mind when setting up your company.
A limited company must issue at least one share. If there is more than one shareholder, it is required to issue at least one share per shareholder. It is often recommended to issue more than the minimum number of shares to avoid the need to issue more in the future.
No. You can form a company as a non UK resident from most locations in the world. However, you will require to have a UK registered office address, which 1st Formations provides in most our company formation packages. Have a look at our Non-Residents Package for more details on how to register your company from abroad.
There is no legal obligation for a limited company to open a business bank account; however, in practice it is almost impossible to operate without one. A limited company is a separate legal entity from its owners; therefore you should keep your personal and business finances separate.
The annual filing requirements for a limited company in the UK include submitting a confirmation statement, annual accounts and Corporation Tax Return. Staying compliant with these filing requirements is essential for avoiding penalties and maintaining your company's good standing.
All UK company directors must report their home address to Companies House. The home address does not appear on the public record. The only reason a director’s home address would appear publicly is if the director chooses to use it as their service address.
1st Formations offers a Service Address Service which allows directors to use our prestigious Covent Garden address as their service address, helping to protect their privacy.
Yes, 1st Formations provide full telephone, email and online chat support for all customers during the lifetime of their companies. We also provide an Online Company Manager and a full range of company services including London company address services to help maintain and develop your company.
Over 22,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot - a 98% approval rating.
A selection of 1st Formations' services to help you set up, maintain and develop your business
Our London Registered Office Service gives your company an official address in central London, ensuring full compliance with Companies House requirements while protecting your home address.
All statutory mail from government agencies such as HMRC and Companies House is securely received and forwarded to you digitally on the same working day.
Ideal for UK and overseas entrepreneurs, this service enhances your professional image, builds trust, and offers a cost-effective way to establish a credible business presence without the need for a physical office.
Learn More
Our Confirmation Statement Service ensures you never miss this essential annual filing.
We monitor your deadlines, prepare your statement accurately, and submit it to Companies House, keeping all statutory details, such as shareholdings, PSCs, SIC codes, and officer information, fully up to date. By relying on our expert team, you avoid penalties and administrative stress.
Fast, reliable, and compliant, it’s the simplest way to maintain correct company records and focus on running your business.
Learn More
Our Hassle-Free Compliance Service gives you everything you need to stay compliant and protect your business without the hassle or the hefty bills.
For £149.99 per year, you get unlimited access to 300+ legally reviewed, ready-to-use business document templates, plus your confirmation statement filing and ICO registration (if required). The service includes expert compliance support by phone and email whenever you need it, and an exclusive 50% discount on company changes from director appointments to share transfers.
It's a complete, dependable solution for keeping your company protected, organised, and fully compliant.
Learn More
The Online Company Manager is a free, secure dashboard that lets you manage your company with ease.
Update details, file changes directly with Companies House, monitor important deadlines, and access your statutory records anytime. With automatic syncing, your information stays accurate and up to date. You can also purchase additional services, track orders, and manage multiple companies from one account.
Fast and intuitive, it provides everything you need to stay organised and compliant in just a few clicks.
Learn More
The Business Document Template Library provides unlimited access to a growing collection of over 300 business templates. Reviewed by legal experts, these templates help maintain high standards and represent significant savings compared to costly hourly rates.
Access the library anytime, anywhere via the Online Company Manager. Explore a variety of templates, including contracts, policies, and NDAs, to ensure your business documents are robust, current and look professional.
For your convenience, all documents are clearly categorised and can be downloaded directly to your device, allowing for endless customisation by you to meet your specific business needs.
Learn More
1st Formations is the largest company formation agent in the UK. We have formed over 1,000,000 companies and handle thousands of company formations every month - with a team of 140 staff working from our Covent Garden headquarters in Central London.
We are Companies House authorised agents, also known as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSP), permitted to register companies and conduct identity verification checks on behalf of clients for UK company filings.
1st Formations is supervised by HMRC for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) purposes and is a member of ACRA (the Association of Company Registration Agents), ensuring our company documentation is of the highest quality, always up-to-date, and compliant with current regulations and legislation.
We are available and ready to support you every step of the way, from tentative initial enquiries, to helping you choose a company formation package, and guiding you through the registration process.
If you need any assistance, please contact one of our company experts on 020 3897 2233.
It’s simple to follow our four-step process: Go to our homepage and find out if your company name is available at Companies House; choose a package; select any additional company services and exclusive offers you may require, check out and pay. You will then receive your account login credentials by email.
After successful payment, it's time for the final step, where you will be asked to supply company information such as your UK registered office address and director and shareholder details. This should take you no more than 15 minutes, and your new company should be registered and ready to trade within 24 hours.
As soon as your new company is incorporated, we will send you an order fulfilment email including your company documents and WebFiling Authentication Code.
Our journey together has just started! 1st Formations provides free customer support for the lifetime of your company. So please contact us by live chat, phone or contact form if you need help.
We also provide a free Online Company Manager, where you can maintain and update your company details and access a full range of company services, including our customer rewards program.
